Review: Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon

WHERE THE LOST WANDER
Amy Harmon
Publication date: April 28, 2020
Genres: Adult, Historical Fiction
Format: eARC
Source: Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley
5 Stars

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S Y N O P S I S

In this epic and haunting love story set on the Oregon Trail, a family and their unlikely protector find their way through peril, uncertainty, and loss.
The Overland Trail, 1853: Naomi May never expected to be widowed at twenty. Eager to leave her grief behind, she sets off with her family for a life out West. On the trail, she forms an instant connection with John Lowry, a half-Pawnee man straddling two worlds and a stranger in both.
But life in a wagon train is fraught with hardship, fear, and death. Even as John and Naomi are drawn to each other, the trials of the journey and their disparate pasts work to keep them apart. John’s heritage gains them safe passage through hostile territory only to come between them as they seek to build a life together.
When a horrific tragedy strikes, decimating Naomi’s family and separating her from John, the promises they made are all they have left. Ripped apart, they can’t turn back, they can’t go on, and they can’t let go. Both will have to make terrible sacrifices to find each other, save each other, and eventually…make peace with who they are.

M Y   T H O U G H T S


Amy Harmon has done it again… and somehow done it even better than before. She has created a saga of family, faith, and endurance and managed to weave into it a love story so pure and so epic that it took my breath away.

The pain. It’s worth it. The more you love, the more it hurts. But it’s worth it. It’s the only thing that is.

Where the Lost Wander started with a prologue that was so jarring that I continued to read with a mix of hope and dread. Knowing what was coming – but hopeful for a different outcome.  Naomi May was completely endearing with a forthrightness that was probably considered bold, if not borderline rude, in 1850’s America. And I loved her for it. She spoke her mind and was so genuine and full of life. Widowed by the age of 20, she was traveling with her family, as well as her former in-law’s, from Missouri to California. Joining the wagon train was John Lowry, a half-white half-Pawnee man who had spent his life feeling out of place in both worlds.  John was quiet and cautious but he managed to say so much when speaking so little. The story of John and Naomi that played out amidst the day to day life of the cross-country trek was so beautiful and so filled with genuine respect and acceptance. It was breathtaking.


I was completely absorbed in this tale and found myself thinking about it day and night. I had to know what would happen next, even as I often feared what was to come. The story was bleak at times, and there were scenes when I had to put the book down and step away because my fragile heart just couldn’t take the heartache. Harmon did an incredible job of showcasing the hardships faced by those brave souls who chose to make such an arduous journey. Along the way there was danger, death, exhaustion and more to contend with. But there was also the strong connection of family, a feeling of community among those in the wagon train, and bright moments of simple joys.

If nothing matters, then there’s no point. If everything matters, there’s no purpose. The trick is to find firm ground.

Harmon’s prose is simply beautiful and her words painted a landscape – not just a scenic one, but also a landscape of her character’s lives and their inner struggles. The dichotomy between the white man’s world and that of the Indian’s (note: the term Indian was used throughout the novel since it was indicative of the time period) played out again and again in ways that were at times superficial and other times extreme and dangerous. Where the Lost Wander is a majestic historical novel that took me on an unforgettable journey.


Disclosure: I received a a complimentary copy of this book for review. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.

31 comments

  1. I enjoyed reading the synopsis and your great review. I am intrigued by this book and thanks for sharing!

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  2. The 1850s were tough, and it sounds like Harmon did a great job illustrating the hardship of everyday life back then. I love your collage too!

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    1. She really did, Sam. The descriptions of the day to day struggles and the dangers they encountered totally came to life.

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  3. Colour me intrigued! But does it have a happy ending? Or will I be bawling my eyes out and hating the world? I've yet to reading anything by Harmon.

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    1. Hm, happy ending... well, my husband and I both read the book and have different thoughts on the ending. He found it to be bittersweet. I consider it happy/hopeful. I will say it was a tough/emotional read, but I loved it.

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  4. Wow, this sounds like one powerful read! And what a journey Naomi has had. Lovely review!

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    1. It really was a powerful read, Jenea. An amazing journey.

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  5. I see someone else beat me to the punch. Happy ending? Fantastic review!!

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    1. Wellll, I would say the happy ending is subjective. Sorry to be so vague but I don't want to say too much. I thought it was happy/hopeful. My husband considered it more bittersweet.

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    2. Ah, definitely sounds like one I need to put off for now, but will look forward to at some point in the future. Harmon can definitely do emotional!

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  6. I love the setting of this one. It was such a fascinating point in history, and it sounds like the author really immerses you into it.

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    1. I very rarely read about this time period or setting, but Amy Harmon really made it come to life.

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  7. It seems like this story requires more focus than my brain can conjure up at the moment lol but I'm glad you loved it.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. I totally get that. Even as I was reading it I was like, "could I have picked a worse time?" LOL

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  8. What an incredible setting and time period! Great review!

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    1. Thanks Angela! I rarely seek out this setting or time period, but when it comes to Amy Harmon if she writes it I'll read it. :)

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  9. I'm glad you enjoyed this one so much! I'm not sure if I'll read it or not. The time period doesn't really interest me. Maybe on audio. Great review!

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    1. To be honest, this time period and setting does not draw me in, Deanna. I rarely read about American history. But because it's Amy Harmon I trusted in her and went with it. So glad I did because it was amazing.

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  10. This sounds so good! I love it when you can find a book that you can't get out of your head. I am so glad you loved this one.

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    1. Thanks Carole. Amy Harmon's books always seem to do that to me. She makes them so realistic that I can't stop thinking about the characters.

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  11. Such a beautiful review you have here. I haven't read Amy Harmon (*gasp) I know I know...I should walk the walk of shame lol This story sounds like everything I need in a romance especially right now. Definitely adding it to be TBR.

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    1. LOL No walks of shame here, Renee. :) But I do highly recommend Amy Harmon... if you can't already tell. She's great at creating characters and stories that feel so realistic.

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  12. Ooooh your graphic is PERFECT! It fits so well with the story! And I looooved the story, I am so glad you did too. It really did make me feel like I was ON the trail with them, through the hardships and such. And can you even imagine? Wow, I cannot. And the romance was kind of perfect! Fabulous review, I am so glad you loved it too (and that you put it on my radar to begin with!)

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    1. Thank you, thank you, Shannon! :) I totally agree, Harmon was so descriptive that I felt like I was there, experiencing the trail, the wagon train, the hardships. I'm so glad this was such a hit for the both of us!

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  13. Your review is perfection Tanya!!!! I relate to this wholeheartedly. This is one of my favorites of Amy right alongside Making Faces and From Sand and Ash!

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    1. Thank you, Sophie! This is right up there with From Sand and Ash for me, too. Just excellent!

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  14. This sounds amazing and your aesthetic for it is perfect too!

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    1. Thanks Suzanne. I don't often make aesthetic boards but this one called to me. :)

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  15. Wow, you've made me want to read this. I'm so fussy about any historical book I read and this isn't the usual time period I have any interest in reading about but your review and that pretty aesthetic has me thinking maybe I need to change my mind. And this book is on KU! I am going to give it a shot, thanks for reviewing I would have totally missed this book otherwise.

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    1. Thanks Becky! I typically enjoy historical fiction but, like you, I'm pretty picky about time period and setting. And to be honest, the American West in the 1850's is not a period I've ever been drawn to. But because it was Amy Harmon I knew to trust her. So glad I did because it was stunning. I really hope you'll love it if you decide to give it a try!

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